BACKGROUND: Menstruation may affect school life and participation in physical activity. Swimming classes in school physical education may pose particular difficulties because decisions about participation, observation, or absence are often closely linked to menstruation. This study examined experiences, concerns, and knowledge related to physical education and swimming classes during menstruation and identified instructional content that should be addressed before swimming classes. METHODS: Participants were 118 Japanese undergraduate students majoring in physical education- and sport-related fields (65 men and 53 women). Female participants answered questions on instruction regarding participation in physical education during menstruation, participation experiences, reasons for absence/observation, and menstruation-related concerns. All participants rated their knowledge of menstruation-related topics. Descriptive statistics were calculated, and Cochran`s Q, McNemar`s, and chi-square tests were used. RESULTS: "Students` own judgment" was the most frequently reported type of instruction at elementary school (58.5%), junior high school (69.8%), and high school (62.3%), with no significant stage differences. In all school stages, absence/observation was significantly more frequent in swimming than in other physical activities. Leakage-related anxiety was the most frequent reason for absence/observation, especially in junior high school. Women reported significantly higher understanding than men of menstruation, symptoms of premenstrual syndrome, and the acceptability of exercise during menstruation. CONCLUSIONS: Difficulties during menstruation were more likely to become apparent in swimming classes than in physical education classes in general, with anxiety about menstrual leakage emerging as a key factor. These findings highlight the importance of pre-class educational support, including practical coping strategies, information and consultation pathways that support informed self-judgment, and shared understanding of menstruation among both female and male students.
© Copyright 2026 XVth International Symposium on Biomechanics and Medicine in Swimming Proceedings. Alle Rechte vorbehalten.